Spring recruiting is now in full swing, and there’s plenty to cover in this week’s Syracuse recruiting roundup.
In April, I wrote about how SU has refocused its recruiting, pivoting toward its backyard in New Jersey. The Orange coaches were on the recruiting trail this past week, with a particular emphasis on the Garden State again. Syracuse handed out over 20 offers, some of which are highlighted below.
Of particular note, Syracuse offered five players from New Jersey in the 2024 and 2025 class. They also stuck to the more traditional recruiting areas, with a large group of offers going to the DMV, Pennsylvania and Florida areas.
- Jayden Brown, a 2024 linebacker from Don Bosco (NJ) Prep
- Juan Minaya, a 2024 offensive lineman from Paramus (NJ) Catholic High
- Jaelyne Matthews, a 2025 offensive lineman from Toms River (NJ) North
- Jovon Williams, a 2025 WR from St. Joseph (NJ) Regional
- Jahmir Joseph, a 2025 WR/CB from St. Joseph (NJ) Regional
- Adham Abouraya, a 2024 offensive lineman from Downingtown (PA) East High
- Phil Picciotti, a 2023 linebacker from Pennridge (PA) High
- Sahfi Reed, a 2024 WR/CB from Martin Luther (PA) King
- Samuel Hobbs, a 2023 linebacker from Neumann Goretti (PA)
- Noah Jenkins, a 2024 WR/CB from Highland (VA) Springs High
- Ike Daniels, 2023 running back from Mountain (VA) View
- Michael Van Buren, a 2024 quarterback from St. Frances (MD) Academy
- Sean Williams, a 2023 WR from St. John’s (DC) College
- Tyler Partlow, a 2025 defensive lineman from Christ (NY) the King Regional
- Arvell Reese, a 2023 linebacker from Glenville (OH)
- Jaylen Heyward, a 2024 defensive back from Rockledge (Fla.) High
- Donavan Philord, a 2024 defensive back from Champagnat (Fla.) Catholic
- Antonio Henley, a 2025 defensive lineman from Gaither (Fla.) High
And Syracuse has also been active in hosting recruits on campus. Since I discussed the Orange’s renewed focus on in-state recruits last week, I wanted to highlight two other in-state recruits who were on campus recently.
» Related: Syracuse football taking close look at NY recruits
The first includes 2024 Rochester (NY) Greece Athena quarterback Jayden Rapp. Rapp is a two-sport star (baseball) and visited the Orange in mid-April. Sports Illustrated’s Mike McAllister caught up with him about his visit recently, and Rapp left SU with a good impression. “It definitely raised my interest significantly,” Rapp said to McAllister about his visit.
Syracuse also hosted another Rochester native, 2024 Rochester (NY) East athlete Anthony Diaz. He already holds an offer from Buffalo, and has played running back, WR and DB. “I really fell in love with that place,” he said to McAllister after his visit.
Switching to the hardwood, Syracuse assistant coach Allen Griffin offered 2023 four-star guard Kaden Cooper on Friday. 247 Sports currently rates him as a three-star prospect, but expect that to change in the near future. Cooper has seen his recruitment take off recently, and has landed offers from high-majors such as Kansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and LSU, among others.
That was SU’s second offer of the week. The other was to 2023 big man Tafara Gapare, whose recruitment has taken off since April. The South Kent (CT) High prospect also holds offers from Pittsburgh, Maryland, Arizona State and Rutgers, among others.
And finally, Syracuse women’s basketball received a commitment from Lexi McNabb, a 5-foot-7 combo guard from Arizona. She is the daughter of Syracuse football great Donovan McNabb and Raquel (Nurse) McNabb, a former women’s basketball star.
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